Chapter 10- Resources
INTRODUCTION
10.1 The Local Planning Authority is required by the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act to have regard to the likely availability of resources when preparing the UDP. The Plan is expected to take a realistic view of the resources which might become available and should also take account of national economic policies, the policies of implementing agencies and the availability of land labour and other resources.
10.2 The Local Planning Authority has been realistic in formulating its UDP policies and proposals and has set out in Chapter 3 the context within which they were developed. The Plan accepts that the direct role of the local authority's in funding pro posals is limited and will continue to be so during the Plan period. It therefore forms the basis for a partnership with a range of agencies in the public, private, voluntary and government sectors. The contribution of individuals and community groups is also anticipated.
10.3 The key feature of the UDP in relation to resources and implementation is the context it sets for decisions in allocating resources both for the Council and also for other agencies. The plan aims to establish this context through its policies and proposals by providing certainty, guidance, incentive and control.
Certainty
10.4 A main factor in making investment decisions and in allocating resources is the expectation of a return on that investment. The UDP aims to establish a climate which minimises investors' risk, and creates a climate of certainty. The plan will establish a clear view of where investment is acceptable and where it is not in order that finite resources both in the private as well as public sector are focussed and co-ordinated. Opportunities will exist for individual investment decisions. Though it is not the Council's intention to restrict competition, in seeking sustainable development the UDP aims to secure a wide range of benefits for the whole community. This does not only apply to new investment and development but also to existing investors including individual householders. If the plan can create certainty then it is more likely to stimulate continued investment in the existing stock and in established enterprises. Most of the investment within the plan period is anticipated to arise from reinvestment rather than new development.
Guidance
10.5 To achieve certainty the UDP provides guidance on the scale, direction, nature and location of growth. Where proposals are in accord with the Plan they will be supported. Prospective developers should benefit from the assistance given by the Plan in guiding their decisions and the community in turn will be able to enjoy the facilities provided.
Incentive
10.6 The Plan provides incentive by identifying and advertising opportunities and priorities for investment. It is a plan which allows for some growth where that growth assists the realisation of the aims and objectives of the UDP.
Control
10.7 The plan is also a means of control not in a negative sense but by seeking approval of its policies and proposals from as wide a range of interests as possible. It can then be regarded as the accepted mechanism within which competing decisions affecting land use matters in the borough can be resolved in the wider public interest.
Resource Elements
10.8 The three main resource elements are Land, Finance and Labour.
10.9 The overall strategy of this plan is to provide for sustainable development and the conservation of finite resources such as Land. The UDP does require some new land for development but its main emphasis is on making the fullest use of existing developed land. Where new land is needed it has been chosen where it will provide the basis for regeneration, and where it can minimise its demands upon energy and on costly new infrastructure. In housing, the existing stock will meet most housing needs during the plan period and so plan policies and proposals are directed to achieving its full use. In shopping, existing centres are to be the focus of investment as they provide for a wide range of shopping needs and are well served by public transport. The dispersal of shopping to sites outside the built up area would deter investment in centres and have an impact on energy conservation and pollution. Environmental policies and proposals including Green Belt designation protect open land from development and so conserve it as a resource. Employment policies are framed to provide people with optimum access to employment opportunities and to direct regeneration and new employment to areas of greatest need in order to match labour and land resources.
10.10 The compact form of development proposed in the Plan will allow limited Financial resources to be applied efficiently utilising existing infrastructure where possible. In addition the Plan is framed to ensure that investments from a variety of sources are combined to maximise their impact. In making its own investment decisions and determining priorities the Council will apply its resources where they can best stimulate additional investment from other agencies, especially the private sector. Within North Tyneside the considerable investment being made by the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation to regenerate the riverside is being reinforced by funding from City Challenge in other parts of the borough. The Housing Investment Programme, Urban Programme, Transport Policy and Programme, Economic Development Strategy and European Funding are all supportive of the Plan's strategy and will assist its implementation
10.11 Labour is unlikely to be a resource constraint during the plan period either in terms of short ages of labour to meet the needs of industry or in terms, of consumers willing to invest in the borough's social and economic infrastructure. The retention of the borough's population and the potential for some growth is a Plan aim and policies and proposals are structured to provide employment opportunities, sufficient housing and a high quality environment to realise that aim. Any assessment of future resource availability is difficult but in broad terms information available now would suggest that the plan is capable of implementation and does provide a sound basis for investment.
Monitoring and Review
10.12 The Plan will be monitored to assess progress on implementation and to consider the need for a review or alteration. The five local authorities in Tyne and Wear have an established countywide monitoring system in place following the requirement of Strategic Guidance for Tyne and Wear. The Council will determine and publish a comprehensive range of issues to be monitored when the plan is formally adopted.